I get where you're coming from, but honestly, I've had the opposite experience. Years ago, I kept my deductible super low thinking I'd be covered for anything. Then one day, a minor fender-bender happened—barely a scratch—and I realized filing a claim would jack up my premiums way more than just paying out of pocket. Ever since then, I've bumped up my deductible and just stash away the difference. Feels risky at first, but after a while, it's kinda nice seeing that savings grow...
Totally get your logic there, and honestly, you're onto something. I've been restoring classic cars for years, and insurance is always a balancing act. Here's how I usually break it down: first, I look at the car's value and how often I realistically drive it. If it's a daily driver, a lower deductible might make sense because the odds of minor incidents go up. But for my weekend classics that mostly sit in the garage, I bump up the deductible quite a bit.
Then, like you mentioned, I stash away the savings from lower premiums into a separate account—sort of like my own mini-insurance fund. It feels weird at first, but after a year or two without claims, seeing that money pile up is pretty satisfying. Plus, if something minor happens (like your fender-bender), it's way easier to just dip into that fund rather than deal with premium hikes.
Sounds like you've found a good rhythm already—stick with it and you'll probably feel even more comfortable as time goes on...
I've been doing something similar with my luxury sedan—higher deductible, savings stashed aside. Worked great until that one time a falling branch cracked my windshield...ouch. Ever had a random event like that shake up your deductible strategy?
Yeah, I've been there too—went with a higher deductible thinking I'd save some cash. Worked perfectly fine for years...until a random chunk of gravel flew off a truck and smacked my hood. Not major damage, but enough to sting my wallet. Honestly though, even after that little mishap, I still prefer the higher deductible route. The savings over time have more than made up for the occasional "ouch" moments.
The way I see it, insurance is mostly for the big stuff—major accidents or theft—not so much for the smaller annoyances. Sure, it's frustrating when something random happens, but that's exactly why I stash money aside each month. It softens the blow when life throws curveballs. Still, everyone's comfort level is different, and if those unexpected hits stress you out too much, a lower deductible might be worth the peace of mind.
I get your point, but for me it's not just about the numbers. Even minor incidents can be pretty stressful, especially if you're tight on cash at the moment. I had a cracked windshield once—nothing huge—but it happened right when I had other expenses piling up. Having a lower deductible meant one less headache. Sure, I might pay a bit more overall, but sometimes peace of mind is worth the extra bucks...at least for me.
